This review is on the kindle version of the book, and the rating reflects the quality of that particular version. Despite that, the book content is great, and i would recommend getting the hard-copy.

The kindle version is very poorly created. My main issues with it are:
- The index contains no numbers. It is just a list of terms without definitions.
- The example titles (i.e. Example 1.1:....) do not line up with the actual examples. You have to scroll up and down to find them.
- On kindle for PC, the quick contents (available from the left menu) only shows the sections, not the contents. If you want to quickly go to another chapter in the book, you have to go go to the contents section at the start of the book. This is not an issue with kindle software as other books have managed to have better contents.
- Some text as not copied across properly, I see some broken words and formatting issues.
- You cannot copy and paste from this book if you are... Read more

UPDATED 3/2011: I had originally posted the review below, complaining that the Kindle version of Programming Language Pragmatics was a rip-off, because (1) you didn't get the CD that accompanies the print version, and (2) that missing CD includes large portions of the book. In March 2011, the publisher posted a responsive comment providing a link to an on-line copy of the material on the CD. Currently, the url is [...] . Given that the missing parts of the book are now available even if one buys the Kindle version, my original complaints about the book are no longer valid. I've kept the original review below just for context, but please note that I now have only good things to say about the book, which is worth reading in its entirety.

ORIGINAL REVIEW from 12/2010 (NOW SUPERSEDED - see above): Michael L. Scott's Programming Language Pragmatics is an excellent book about programming languages, language design, and compilers. Unfortunately, the Kindle edition simply... Read more

Whilst the dragon book has become pretty much the go-to book for learning about compilers and language implementation, I found this one be much nicer to read.
I find that some texts expect you to be able to instantly grasp a whole new collection of constructs and keep them all in your head as the author connects their importance together. This book (thankfully) takes a bit more time with the reader and so even though the author took more pages to introduce topics I found myself making progress faster with the material.

Another wonderful thing is the author's knowledge across programming languages is fantastic. Along with many of the techniques are discussions of the pros and cons, the languages that have used them and their effect, within a couple of pages you can see ada, prolog, common lisp & haskell.

I'm only a couple of hundred pages in so far but am loving this book.
If you are interested in language design and implementation this is the book you... Read more